And I just want you to know how much my thoughts and prayers are with you and Elie all the time. I am a complete stranger, who lives in New York, but I feel from your blog that I know you. I just wanted you to know how many of us there are out there, whom you’ll never know about, whose thoughts and prayers are with you.

I too am a soldier’s mother. I know the fears that go through a mom’s mind when her son is at war. I found your site through a commenter at my own blog. I will certainly pray for the soldiers listed, and pray for your family too. I wish there was more I could offer — if there is any practical help, care packages, letters of encouragement, or anything that we can do from where we are (USA) please let me know. I sincerely mean that.

We are a democratic country; so much so, we allow our enemies into our government and from the podium of our parliament, they have the freedom to call for policies that would destroy us.
Our current enemies, those who pose the most immediate threat lie to our north. This is Hizbollah land, where according to their leader Hassan Nasrallah, “We have discovered how to hit the Jews where they are the most vulnerable. The Jews love life, so that is what we shall take away from them. We are going to win, because they love life and we love death.”
Our enemies lie to the northeast. This is Syria. My sons have spent many months on the Golan Heights, including some tense days waiting to see how the Syrians would react after Israel sent planes to destroy a building widely believed to be the beginnings of a nuclear reactor. My oldest son fought near Gaza to help stop the rockets from being fired against Israel.
Our enemies lie further to the east. This is Iran, led by fanatics who promise that they will do all they can to accomplish in a few minutes more than what Adolf Hitler accomplished in six years of war. The Iranian leadership has made it clear in words and actions that they are after a nuclear bomb and that their goal is to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Believe them.